Patent GB-190222533-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to Detonating Signalling Apparatus for Railways
Inventor: COEN-CAGLI ENRICO
Filed: 1902-10-16
Granted: 1903-10-08
Abstract: 22,533. Cagli, E. Coen-. Oct. 16. Fog and audible signals; signalling to cabins; contacts, mechanical; contacts, electric.- Relates to automatic signalling - apparatus for use during fogs, snowstorms, &c. Two or three detonators 2, Fig. 1, are mounted on each of the links of an endless chain 1, which passes round horizontal pulleys 3, 4, and is supported at intervals by rollers 19. The pulley 3 is formed with a series of projections or teeth 7, which are engaged by the tappet 6 on the lever arm 5, to rotate the pulley and so move the groups of detonators in succession over the firina-anvil 16. The lever arm 5 is connected by the rod 11 to the tripping-catch 13 adapted to actuate the firing-hammer 14,15, and by the adjustable rod connection 8. 9 to the weighted operating-lever 29, Fig. 4. The lever 29 is normally held up by the lever arm 27. mounted on the same shaft 28, and resting on the roller 26 on the piston-rod 22 connected to the train-operated pedal 20. The piston works in the cylinder 24, which is in communication with the pressure chamber 25 through an upwardly-opening valve having a small return passage or bye-pass. The cylinder 24 is filled with a liquid, which is introduced in sufficient quantity to cover the valve, the remainder of the chamber 25 containing compressed air, which normally supports the pedal 20 and the lever 29. When a train passes over the pedal, the piston is depresed and forces the liquid into the chamber 25, the lever 29 being released and effecting the operation of the feed-lever 5 and the firing- hammer 15. The return flow of the liquid to the cylinder 24 takes place through the bye-pass, the return of the parts to normal position being thereby retarded. The pivot 21 of the pedal 20 is normally supported on a sliding block 34, connected by the rod 36 with the weighted lever 39 on the shaft 38. A second weighted lever 40, which normally overbalances the lever 39, is mounted on the shaft 38 so that it is free to turn in one direction, but is restricted in movement in the opposite direction. When the lever 40 is raised, the lever 39 retracts the block 34 from beneath the pivot 21, so that the pedal falls into inoperative position. The lever 40 may be actuated from the station by a wire 41, or from the usual signal by a wire 42 connected so that the apparatus is operative when the signal is at ' danger' ; or it may be controlled by both wires 41, 42 which, in this case, are kept taut by a counterweight 44 and act on the lever 40 through a coupling piece 43. The lever 39 may be omitted, and the lever 40 fixed on the shaft 38. The hammer 15 is normally supported clear of the detonators by means of an eccentric 17 coupled by the fork 18 to the rod 11, so that the chain can be moved by hand when inserting fresh detonators. The upward movement of the hammer is limited by the stop 70. The apparatus is enclosed in casings 59, 60, the former having an explosion chamber 61, which is slotted to permit the passage of the detonators. The circuit 69 of an electric bell adapted to warn the station is connected by separate branches to the following contacts :-(1) The contact 63, Fig. 1. which is closed by the explosion and causes a momentary ringing of the bell indicating that the explosion has taken place; (2) the contact 64, Fig. 6. which is closed by the tappet 6 rising over the projections 7 during the return movement of the parts, and causes a continuous ringing of the bell until the parts have returned to normal position ; and (3) the contact-plate 66, Fig. 1, which is normally supported on the detonators, but falls and closes its circuit when the first two groups of exploded detonators come beneath it, thus causing a continuous ringing of the bell to indicate that the detonators are nearly exhausted. This circuit also includes a contact 68, Fig. 6, whereby it is broken during the passage of a train, so that the indications given by the contacts 63, 64 can be observed. In adapting the train-operated apparatus to single lines, a counter-pedal 45, Fig. 15, connected to a second piston 46, is employed. When a train passes first over the. counter-pedal 45, the arm 51 on the piston-rod 46 engages the wedge 50 on the swinging arm 49, and deflects the latter so that the lug 53 engages the projection 54 on the shaft 28, thus preventing the operation of the apparatus when the train passes over the pedal 20. When, however, the train is travelling in the opposite direction, and passes first over the pedal 20, the arm 52 on the piston-rod 22 deflects the arm 49 in the opposite direction, so that the apparatus is operated as if there were no counter-pedal. When a large number of detonators are not required for a day's working, the endless chain 1 may be replaced by a disc furnished with radiating arms to carry the detonators, and the pressure chamber 25 may be replaced by a chamber formed in the body of the piston.